Big 12 Standings Set the Stage for a Heavyweight Title Clash Between Texas Tech and BYU
With the dust settled on the Big 12 regular season, we’ve got a clear picture heading into championship weekend-and it's a good one. Texas Tech and BYU, both sitting at 8-1 in conference play and 11-1 overall, are set to square off in Arlington on Saturday in a title game that promises fireworks. These are two programs that have found their rhythm at just the right time, and now they’re 60 minutes away from a Big 12 crown.
Let’s take a closer look at how the standings shook out and what it tells us about the depth-and chaos-of the conference this season.
Top of the Table: Texas Tech and BYU Lead the Charge
Texas Tech and BYU didn’t just win games-they dominated. Both teams finished 11-1 overall, showcasing consistency on both sides of the ball.
Texas Tech closed out the regular season with a commanding 49-0 win over West Virginia, sending a loud message to the rest of the conference. That kind of shutout performance this late in the year?
It’s rare-and it speaks to just how locked in the Red Raiders are.
BYU, meanwhile, handled UCF 41-21, showing once again that their offense can pile up points in a hurry. These two teams have taken different paths to get here, but they’ve both earned their shot at the title. Saturday’s matchup in Arlington isn’t just a game-it’s a collision course between two of the most complete teams in the Big 12 this season.
Utah, Arizona, and Houston: Strong Seasons, Just Short
Utah (7-2, 10-2) came within a game of the title matchup, and it’s hard not to wonder what might’ve been. The Utes wrapped up their season with a solid 31-21 win over Kansas, finishing with double-digit wins and proving they belong in the upper echelon of the conference.
Arizona and Houston both finished 6-3 in conference play, with 9-3 overall records. Arizona capped off its year with a Territorial Cup win over rival Arizona State, 23-7, giving the Wildcats nine wins on the season-a big statement for a program that’s been trending upward. Houston also got the job done against Baylor, 31-24, wrapping up a quietly impressive campaign.
Arizona State rounds out the six-win club at 6-3 in the Big 12, finishing 8-4 overall. While they fell to Arizona in the finale, there’s a lot to like about the Sun Devils’ trajectory heading into the offseason.
Middle of the Pack: A Logjam at 5-4
Four teams-Cincinnati, Iowa State, Kansas State, and TCU-all finished at 5-4 in conference play, with varying overall records. TCU looked sharp in its final game, dropping 45 on Cincinnati to finish 8-4. Iowa State edged Oklahoma State 20-13, also finishing 8-4 and showing the kind of resilience that’s become a hallmark of the Cyclones under Matt Campbell.
Cincinnati and Kansas State both ended up at .500 or better overall, with the Bearcats going 7-5 and the Wildcats finishing even at 6-6. These are programs that flashed potential but couldn’t quite string together enough consistency to make a serious run at the title game.
The Bottom Tier: Rebuilding and Regrouping
Baylor, Kansas, and UCF all ended the season at 5-7, with 3-6 conference records for the Bears and Jayhawks. These teams had their moments, but the losses added up quickly in a crowded Big 12. UCF, despite the 2-7 conference mark, showed flashes of offensive promise but couldn’t keep pace defensively.
West Virginia (2-7, 4-8) and Colorado (1-8, 3-9) both struggled mightily, and Oklahoma State’s 0-9 conference record capped off a tough 1-11 season overall. For these programs, the offseason will be about hitting reset and figuring out how to climb back into contention in what’s become one of the most competitive leagues in college football.
What’s Next: Big 12 Championship on Deck
All eyes now turn to Arlington, where Texas Tech and BYU will battle it out for Big 12 supremacy. Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. on ABC, and if the regular season was any indication, we’re in for a high-stakes chess match between two teams that know how to win-and win big.
Both teams boast playmakers on both sides of the ball, and while they’ve taken different stylistic approaches, the result has been the same: dominance. Saturday’s title game isn’t just about a trophy-it’s a statement about who runs the new-look Big 12.
Get your popcorn ready. This one’s got all the makings of a classic.